*<do name="Caribbean Water Sports" alt="" address="La Guancha, Ponce" directions="" phone="787 244-6483" url="http://www.caribbeanimagespr.com" hours="9AM-6PM" price="$80 per hour" lat="" long="">We guide you on an exciting jet ski ride to near by deserted cays and islands. You can snorkel on the beautiful reefs of these cays or tour around them at your own pace. Fast or slow!</do>

+

*<do name="Caribbean Water Sports" alt="" address="La Guancha, Ponce" directions="" phone="787 244-6483" "http://www.caribbeanimagespr.com" hours="9AM-6PM" price="$80 per hour" lat="" long="">We guide you on an exciting jet ski ride to near by deserted cays and islands. You can snorkel on the beautiful reefs of these cays or tour around them at your own pace. Fast or slow!</do>

Contents

Understand

Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico. The city was founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de León y Loayza in 1692, but not much seems to have happened since then, and it's far less touristy in character than San Juan. Ponce's draw is its rich history and unique architecture. The atmosphere is charmingly laid-back, a stark contrast to the bustling economic and nightlife districts of San Juan. Even as the island's second largest city, tourists may be shocked or refreshed to find that Ponce's downtown is a single quaint city square with no steady nightlife.

Get in

By plane

Mercedita International Airport, a quick cab ride from downtown, offers up to 4 daily flights to the USA. Spirit,and Jet Blue offer low fares and service to the airport. For intra-island service, Cape Air has many daily flights to the capital in San Juan.

By car

Ponce is reachable via the main island expressway. It's located about 64 miles from San Juan. The drive takes about one hour. The road is modern and convenient and restaurants and shops are readily available throughout the trip.

By público

Ponce has a large público terminal at the intersection of Calle Union and Calle Vives, a few blocks north of Plaza las Delicias. Públicos to San Juan (1-2 hrs, $15) depart from pier 5A, mostly early in the morning. Call Chóferes Unidos de Ponce at 787-764-0540 to make a reservation; they can also pick you up for a small extra fee.

Get around

The downtown area is compact and very attractive to explore on foot. Cabs are cheap and plentiful, should you need one, although many museums and restaurants are within a very short distance of the central plaza. The historic center has quality sidewalks. Public transportation in Ponce is pretty much non-existent, although there's a touristy "train" that does a loop of the downtown. Parking can be quite a challenge at times.

See

Parque de Bombas

Most of Ponce's sights are tightly packed around the main square of Plaza las Delicias.

Parque de Bombas, east side. The former fire station, painted with highly distinctive red and black stripes, and the symbol of the city. The building now houses the tourist office and a free exhibition of the history of fire fighters in Ponce, and is the departure point for the sightseeing train around the city.

Ponce Museum of Art (787) 848-0511. Is quite impressive. A modern building, that is arguably one of the top museums in Latin America. Covers European art -- most notably "Flaming June", symbol of Ponce -- as well as some Puerto Rican art. The museum hosts many visiting exhibits, as well. Daily 10AM - 5PM. Adults $4, children $2.

La cruceta El Vigia.

Do

Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island) is an uninhabited island just off the coast where you can visit an abandoned lighthouse, empty stretches of beach and a marked underwater snorkel trail. Ferries leave from the pier, weekends. $4.

Caribbean Images Tours, La Guancha,Ponce ☎ 787 244-6283,url="http://www.caribbeanimagespr.com" [1]. 9AM-6PM. 1/2 day guided snorkeling excursions to Caja De Muertos. All snorkel equipment is provided. For the novice and non swimmer, we offer instruction and an actual 'hand holding’ experience, if necessary, as safety and education are our top priorities which in turn makes an enjoyable day for everyone. $55.

El Tuque Beach

Caribbean Water Sports, La Guancha, Ponce, ☎787 244-6483. 9AM-6PM. We guide you on an exciting jet ski ride to near by deserted cays and islands. You can snorkel on the beautiful reefs of these cays or tour around them at your own pace. Fast or slow!$80 per hour.

Mid-range

Hotel Meliá, Plaza Degetau y Calle Cristina, tel. 787-842-0260, [1]. Located right off the central plaza, this family-run hotel has both colonial charm and modern facilities. Great little pool, free wi-fi in room, free PCs in business center. Rooms from $90.

Guests at the Hilton Ponce usually enjoy day trips to Caja de Muertos (Coffin) Island for a snorkel or Scuba Diving adventure, visit "La Guancha" nearby boardwalk for a friendly interaction with Ponce's people, and explore the museums and spanish revival architectural jewels in downtown.

Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!